Kalyn Ponga has declared he will battle Reece Walsh for the Queensland Maroons‘ No.1 jersey in 2024, as he looks to earn State of Origin and Kangaroos honours.
The Newcastle Knights captain missed out on Kangaroos selection after a nasty concussion early in 2023, which also removed him from State of Origin contention.
The 25-year-old says missing out on selection for the Pacific Cup campaign has only driven him to succeed in 2024.
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“I was (disappointed), to be honest. Obviously playing at the highest level is a goal of mine and always will be,” Ponga said on Tuesday.
“But in terms of saying that, no bad blood.
“I wasn’t disappointed at Mal (Meninga, Kangaroos coach), I was just disappointed that I didn’t make it.”
Despite the setbacks, Ponga went on to win the 2023 Dally M medal, with a jump to the next level and Queensland selection firmly in his sights.
“I want to play in that arena for sure,” he said.
As for Walsh’s No.1 jersey, Ponga knows it won’t be an easy get if the Broncos young star continues his 2023 form.
”You’ve got to work hard to earn it, it’s not given. He (Walsh) definitely earned that jersey this year and played pretty well in it as well,” Ponga said.